Vapor-heating system.



J; S. BRENNAN.

VAPOR HEATING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19. 1911.

1 ,27 1,658. 7 Patented July 9, 1918 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

JOHN s. BRENNAN, or MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

VAPOR-HEATING SYSTEM.

Application filed February 19, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN S. BRENNAN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Milwaukee, in the county of. Milwaukee and State of \Visconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VaponHeating Systems; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in heating systems utilizing steam or other vapor under pressure.

When steam or other vapor enters the radiators and return pipes of a system, condensation occurs, with a consequent loss of pressure. Also, the usual receiver and air separator of the return pipe line is normally open to the atmosphere, to permit separation of air from the system, and consequently the water in the return portion of the system is held at a higher level than the water line of the boiler, and this level of water increases in height in proportion to the pressure in the supply portion of the system, due to the accumulation of water of condensation which is unable to force its way into the boiler. A common inconvenience in systems of this character is encountered upon the occurrence of an excessively high pressure in the system, which tends to bring about an accumulation or backing up of water sufficient to flood the system.

It is therefore primarily the object of my invention to provide an arrangement whereby this possible undesired accumulation of water may be forced into the boiler by equalizing the pressures in the supply portion of the system and in the return portion of the system, said arrangement being operative only during such periods of excessive pressure whereby not to interfere with the normal operation of the return portion of the system, which as stated includes a receiver and air separator normally open to the atmosphere. 6

More particularly, it is my object to provide a normally open receiver and air separator in the return pipe line which is provided with means for closing and for procuring a steam or other vapor pressure therein equal to the pressure in the supply portion of the system whereby excess accumulation of water in the return portion of the system may be forced into the boiler Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 9, 1918.

Serial N 0. 149,507.

during periods of excess pressure in the system.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention resides more particularly in the novel combination, formation and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the appended claim.

The drawing shows a partly diagrammatic view of a steam or other vapor pressure heating system embodying my invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, 5 conventionally designates a furnace from the boiler of which a steam sup ply pipe 6 extends, and this pipe is provided with a branch 7 for supplying the usual radiator 8. The usual bleed pipes 9 extend from the various portions of the steam pipe 6 to a'common return pipe 11 communicating with the bottom of the boiler. Extending from the radiator 8 is the upper portion 12 of the usual return pipe line,

which is controlled preferably by a thermostatic valve 13 at the radiator. The lower portion 14 of the return pipe line hasthe usual check valve 14 in its lower end and is connected with the return pipe 11, and the pipe line sections 12 and 14 are connected by a receiving and air separating chamber 15, the section 14 extending thereinto at'its bottom and the section 12 extending thereinto adjacent its top. From the top of the chamber, a pipe 16 extends to achimney or other means of communication with atmospheric air, and disposed at the juncture of this pipe 16 with the chamber is a thermostatically controlled valve 17 Extending from the main steam supply pipe 6 is a pipe 18 having one end projected into the chamber and bent in U-shape, with the free end of one of its legs open and disposed adjacent the top of the chamber 15, and this open leg of the pipe 18 is adapted to contain a column of water sufiicient to balance the normal pressure within the steam pipe 6, and thus afford a water seal preventing passage of steam through said pipe 18, it being noted that the pipe 18 serves as a bleed for the main steam pipe.

It is further noted that the receiving and air separating chamber is disposed above the water line of the boiler, whereby the column of water supported in the lower return pipe section 14 between the water line of the boiler: and the bottom of the chamber is sufficient to balance abnormal excessive pressure of, vapor would break the water seal afforded by the upstanding extremity of the pipe 18 and would-permit steam orother vapor to enterthe receiving and air separating chamber 15 and close' the thermostatic valve 17. Pressure within the chamber and the main steam supply pipewguld then be equalized, and the water contained in vthe return portion of thesystem would {seek its normal level with re pe t the oiler l el, r y ingoi the system during periods of excessive pressure is prevented. I Upon the excessive pressure in, the system being relieved, the usual bleed flow of water through the pipe 18 would accumulate in its upwardly directed extremity to form a water seal preventing passage of steam or other vapor into the receiving and air separating chamber, andthe thermostatic valve 17 would open to'permit a resumption of the normal operation of the system.

While I have shown my'water seal as comprising a U-shaped pipe section disposed in the receiving and air-separating chamber, it

Will be appreciated thattlie essential iea-' 'ture of my invention resides in the provision ofa s'al 'vv-hichis y ielda'ble to permit a flow of vapor from the main vapor supply line "to a'p'ortion of the water return pipe line, ,w'hereby to equalize pressure in said pipe li'n'es,"and" that various changesa'nd modivent [for the trap chamber, a vapor conden-' sation drain plpein communication with the trap chamber and said vapor supply pipe, the vapor condensation v drain pipe having an upturned discharge leg within the trap c hainber,the outlet of said leg being above its bottom end whereby to normally maintain a'column of water in said leg said column of water being displaced by abnormal pressure in the vapor supply pipe resulting in an' equalization of pressure:

in the vapor supply' and return pipes of the system, substantially as described.

In testimony that claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my-hand atMilwaukee, in

the county of'Milwauk'ee and State of Wisconsin.

. Jon-N s. BRENNAN.

i Bbjlu itliil p a'te nt my be obtained tor figeflcent; eagh, ,;by ailjdr ess inz tho commissioner of Patents, 

